Determine the impacts of temperature, energy use and efficiency of fish passage facilities on the spawning success of American shad. American shad (Alosa sapidissima) is an economically and ecologically important anadromous species native to eastern North America. Many American shad populations have declined due to the impact of dams on their upstream migration.

Understanding how American shad utilize their energy resources during upstream migration is critical to designing effective fish passage ways around dams and the overall conservation of a species that is important to recreational and commercial fisheries. For this project, NSA staff is measuring American shad fat content with new microwave-based technology called the Fatmeter.